Gibson’s 2013 NAMM Jam

01.24.2013

Gibson Guitar jammed at the NAMM Show 2013 in Anaheim, California, showcasing its latest array of guitars, technology and audio equipment. NAMM is famed for illustrious attendees such as musical instrument industry reps, musicians and the media. With a long history of NAMM appearances, Gibson was right in the middle of it all, launching new models, welcoming new artists to the family and hosting artist performances and signings.

Gibson hits all the highlights here with special behind-the-scenes coverage of the rockin’est place on Earth. Think backstage access, exclusive pics and the inside scoop. We met your favorite musicians, talked with the luthiers who craft your instruments and shot incredible performances by some of the biggest names in showbiz at the Gibson booth as Gibson jams NAMM.

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Sunday, January 27th, 2013

7:30 PM CT: -The NAMM show is over and so is Gibson’s NAMM Jam 2013. Packin’ up and goin’ back home to Music City. See you next year. Until then, keep on rockin’!

6:50 PM CT: -Take one last look around — It’s time to say goodbye!

6:35 PM CT: -Ever experienced stage fright? Dr. Epiphone will see you now! He has his mind set on discovering how YouTuber Alex G overcame her fear of singing and got started on YouTube.

3:55 PM CT: -How do you put an electric guitar to the ultimate test? After giving some of Gibson’s beautiful beasts a workout, Tesla’s guitarist Dave Rude passes on some tips to Alex G.

3:05 PM CT: -A Tribute to Les Paul. Gibson USA is celebrating 2013 as The Year of Les Paul by focusing the 2013 product line-up on the guitars that adorned his name — the Les Paul and the SG.

2:45 PM CT: -Experts among themselves. If you think the back looks good, wait until you see the front!

2:20 PM CT: -Shake it up! Looking for a chance to dance and make music in unusual places? Alex G gets all giggly when Roshon Fegan raves about his new studio project.

1:55 PM CT: -What do you wanna be when you grow up? Have you considered being a DJ rockin’ the crowds? DJ Spark tells Alex G what it takes to succeed in the scratchin’ business – get sparked!

1:35 PM CT: -Get sparked with Stanton’s scratchin’ DJ equipment and KRK’s speakers with all the punch and power for that extra oomph!

12:50 PM CT: -Ready for some serious scratchin’? Top L.A. turntablist DJ Spark shows Alex G her way round a Stanton turntable. And then she scratched it!

12:20 PM CT: -What is your favorite color? Red – at least when it comes to guitars? YouTuber Alex G talks studio production with Elliot Richardson who is salivating over a redder than red Gibson ES-390 hanging on the wall.

11:55 AM CT: -Hangin' in the Gibson booth! Trying great guitars, rocking with the crowd and hearing amazing artist performances!

11:15 AM CT: -Last day of Gibson jammin’ NAMM — final YouTube star. Any idea who will be Gibson’s eyes and ears today? She is “just a normal, energetic girl who loves music, Carol Burnett, and food.” She has also decided that she loves singing, and loves sharing her music with awesome people! Well, solved the riddle? It’s vlogging singer/songwriter Alex G!

8:25 PM CT: -It’s blues time! Tune in for a killer demo on a beautiful Gibson Les Paul as Meghan Tonjes chats to Canadian country blues star Lindsay Ell.

7:50 PM CT: -Dream big — Rock hard!

7:20 PM CT: -Some like it hot!!! Meghan Tonjes kisses Andy Dick and finds out more than she probably wanted to know about his band – The Bitches of the Century – and their “whimsically inappropriate” songs.

4:55 PM CT: -In for a surprise: The metal shredder-in-chief for Guitar Hero, Marcus Henderson, turns the tables and grills Meghan Tonjes. And she has quite the story to tell: From learning guitar to impress a boy to her upcoming reality web series, Meghan is one to watch — Marcus is impressed!

4:40 PM CT: -Been dying to get guitar? Well, someone is getting lucky today. Jason Hook of Five Finger Death Punch is signing and presenting an overjoyed winner with a Jason Hook M-4 Sherman - the Explorer that’s built like a tank!

2:45 PM CT: -So, this is where it all happens: Interviews, performances and demos. Just think of the great artists and celebs that come here to jam!

2:25 PM CT: -Sssshhhh!!! For months guitar legend Earl Slick was sworn to secrecy while he worked on David Bowie's comeback album. 'Is there a lot of rockin' guitar on the album Earl? How are Bowies new songs?" OK. Ok. We'll wait.

1:55 PM CT: -Take it from a pro. Right before the craziness of NAMM catches on, Meghan Tonjes talks rock and roll legends with sideman extraordinaire, Earl Slick, who can drop a serious name or two!

12:05 PM CT: -Rock out at Gibson's NAMM Jam! There are endless walls of great gear from the entire Gibson family of brands in the Gibson booth. What would you wanna pick up and put to the test first?

11:45 AM CT: -New day of Gibson jammin' NAMM - new YouTube star. Have you guessed who will be Gibson’s eyes and ears today? Get excited! It's part-time musician and full-time firestarter Meghan Tonjes!

11:30 AM CT: -Welcome to Day 3 at Gibson's NAMM Jam! Can't wait to get playin'? You are not alone - better hurry...

8:40 PM CT: -Ethereal melodies, lush harmonies and primal drums — that is the transfixing sound of Alicia Lemke. The beautiful singer explains to Lana McKissack, just what makes her Gibson CJ-165 the perfect fit.

8:25 PM CT: -One guy, one guitar, a lot of music! All you need is love — for The Beatles. Mike West has lots of it and shares the details about his live, acoustic study of The Beatles, their music and the inspiration behind the songs with Lana McKissack.

8:15 PM CT: -Meet the warrior of rock and man behind the terrifying licks of Guitar Hero, Marcus Henderson! He gives Lana McKissack lots of tips on how to become a guitar hero yourself. Don’t miss this!

5:50 PM CT: -It's time for a guitar giveaway! Ready? Robb Flynn of Machine Head takes a pick...and look how happy the lucky winner is!

5:15 PM CT: - Lovin’ it backstage? Come with Lana McKissack to catch an edgy performance of rainbow-bearded producer Mark Hudson preparing an Aerosmith song with new artist Madame Mayhem. Clue? The song was a smash and Mark co-wrote it with Steven and Joe for Aerosmith.

1:15 PM CT: -Dr. Epiphone will see you now! Get administered your daily dose of expert guitar tips and highlights of the 2013 lineup.

12:30 PM CT: -Who can resist the lure of a Gibson guitar? Hear them whisper “Come play me?” These players sure hear the calling…

11:45 AM CT: -Can’t wait for the next installment of Gibson jammin’ NAMM? Lana McKissack is Gibson’s eyes and ears today. The lively YouTuber hits the rockin’est floor on Earth and does, what she does best: “I do sketches, songs and vlogs, and I frequently collaborate with sexy people on new videos every Thursday!!!”

11:30 AM CT: -Ready for Day 2 of Gibson’s NAMM Jam? Check out these beauties in the Gibson booth #303AB! Which one would you like to play?

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

9:15 PM CT: -Do you have a Justin Bieber haircut? Wanna be a bit more rock and roll? Jon D. does and now he gets to ask some genuine rock stars at Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Roast, “How do I become more metal?”

3:20 PM CT -Getting in tune with Gibson's new Min-ETune™, the most fuss-free automatic tuning system ever. It’s definitely a hit and the players are lovin’ it.

2:35 PM CT -Fighting through the crowd in the packed Gibson booth to see rock and roll legend Brian Wilson.

2:30 PM CT -Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz introducing Brian Wilson.

12:40 PM CT -Gibson's 'Wall of Sound'

11:29 AM CT -The countdown begins! 5, 4, 3, 2...NAMM Jam!

10:20 AM CT -Ready for some NAMM jam? Jon Duckworth is Gibson’s eyes and ears today. The quirky YouTuber who goes by Simply Spoons, disguises some real music and visual talent with a humble Facebook ‘About’ entry: “We just some dudes makin’ vids.” Right!

Stay tuned.

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

4:20 PM CT -Gibson has designated 2013 as the Year of Les Paul, paying tribute to the avid inventor, expert player, creative sound engineer, and long-time partner of Gibson Guitars. The entire Les Paul collection will be showcased at NAMM – that’s awesome, still bringing in guitars from the bus though... Set-up day is crazy!

1:25 PM CT -Watch out for Gibson’s YouTube gang jamming NAMM this year. Gibson is working with some of your favorite YouTubers to provide that behind-the-scenes coverage you are looking for. Curious? Can’t wait for those special video reports from the floor of the rockin'est place on Earth? Check back here to find out who will be backstage in the Gibson booth, vlogging about the stars, experts and cool new products very soon!

But that's not all! There will also be appearances by DJ Ashba of Guns N' Roses/SIXX AM, and the Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson. A few hardened industry vets told us of choking up a bit when stumbling upon Wilson at NAMM last year. This year Gibson will also launch the Jason Hook M-4 Sherman Explorer, a limited-edition instrument inspired by the Five Finger Death Punch guitarist.

Monday, January 21st, 2013

10:17 PM CT - For Gibson NAMM week is already rolling. Although the NAMM Show officially kicks off on Thursday, for many NAMM Week starts on Monday with Steel Panther's set at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. This is where you'll find musicians, music retail staff, media, agents, managers and anyone else vaguely connected with the musical instrument industry letting their hair down before the onslaught of the coming days.

For a chance to get up close and personal with Steel Panther, check out this seriously censored video, when Gibson caught up with Steel Panther recently on the Gibson bus.

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